People and pesticide poisoning

While pesticides are useful for the control of various pests, many of them are hazardous chemicals. They are hazardous because they can poison the land, the water and the air.

It is very important to only use pesticides in accordance with the label directions which are found on the pesticide container. When people using pesticides become careless they run the risk of poisoning themselves, other people and animals and plants.

Animals which are intended to be killed with pesticides are called target animals. Animals (including people) which are not intended to be killed when a pesticide is used are called non-target animals.

Pesticides can enter the human body in three ways, which are outlined below.

Oral entry

This type of entry is through the mouth in the food we eat or the liquids we drink. Also, if there is any pesticide on our hands it can get into the body when the hands are licked, when the face is wiped near the mouth, or when a cigarette becomes contaminated and is put into the mouth. 

Respiratory entry

Pesticide sprays, vapours or powders can be breathed in through the mouth and nose.

Dermal entry

Pesticide spray which lands on the body can be absorbed through the skin and eyes. Pesticides are commonly absorbed very quickly through the eyes, forehead and forearms. 

Fig: Ways pesticides enter the body. 

Some of the ways by which careless use of pesticides can cause people or other animals to be poisoned accidentally include:

• not reading the label
• putting pesticide in a food or drink container, such as a drink bottle. Children may eat or drink the pesticide by mistake
• leaving pesticide baits in places where children and pets can get them
• not using protective clothing or equipment when mixing or spraying a pesticide
• contaminating uncovered food and drink or cooking/eating utensils while carrying out a spraying operation
• spraying in windy conditions so that the spray drifts away to other areas
• spraying areas which do not need to be treated
• not moving other people and animals away from the spraying area

All of these careless practices greatly increase the chance of someone being harmed by accidently absorbing (taking into the body) some of the pesticide either orally, dermally or through respiration.